Page 7 of Power Play

And she was nowhere to be found.

Breaking News: In a shocking turn of events, investment mogul Bill Barrington has been criminally charged with multiple felony counts for fraud. Professional athletes across many sports all around the world are feeling the impact as millions of dollars have gone missing, apparently lost to Barrington’s gambling addiction.

Breaking News: The jury has reached a verdict. Bill Barrington enters court today, joined only by his defense attorney and his daughter, Kit Barrington. The courtroom is now filled with famous athletes, including legendary NHL player, Dillon Le Coeur, and everyone waits for the judgement.

Breaking News: Bill Barrington has been found guilty on all counts. Sentencing to take place in the coming weeks. His daughter, who many believed was used by her father to lure young athletes to invest, but was never charged with a crime, left the courtroom in tears.

3

Five years later

Portland, Maine

Kit

Wearing a furry cat costume on a public bus is something beyond embarrassing. I mean, the pussy jokes from creepy dudes practically write themselves. But wearing it to Liam Locke’s house was asking for ridicule. Big time.

But desperate times and all that.

I got off the bus and walked what felt like a mile uphill to the gates of Liam’s fancy Portland home. My long tail, bent from the bus ride, brushed my face with every step. I batted it away and it came back harder.

It was one of those perfect Maine Spring days. Bright blue sky, cool breeze off the lake. No bugs. I’d learned in my brief two months in Maine, it was either bug season or no bug season. And apparently, we were on the last few days of no bug season.

Having never lived in Maine before, I was terrified of bug season.

Mike, as per usual, was sitting on the extended porch of Liam’s house. Big arms crossed across his bigger chest. If he had a neck, I’d never seen it. Maybe you’re wondering why a six-four, two hundred twenty pound NHL star needs a guy like Mike sitting outside his house and looking fierce.

Good question. Glad you asked.

Because Liam Locke was a sucker.

Liam played for the Bruisers, who were currently competing in the Stanley Cup finals. Fans knew where Liam lived. His three known stalkers knew where he lived. He was so beloved by this city it was dangerous. Can you imagine? Being so loved by people that it wasdangerous?

He’d invested in dozens of small businesses in the city. Car washes and flower stores. Daycares. Bars and restaurants. It seemed like all you had to do to get money from him was show up with a business plan and a dream.

He’d also lost money. In crypto and real estate. Investing.

The guy was a legendary easy mark.

Ask me how I know.

“Hi, Mike,” I said, struggling to catch my breath. The cat costume was freaking heavy.

“Hey, Kit.” He didn’t smile. He didn’t ask me why I was wearing a giant cat costume. Mike was like one of those palace guards who were not allowed to react at all. Not that he was an actual bodyguard. At least I didn’t think Mike did anything other than sit on Liam’s porch and look mean.

I was pretty sure he was just another one of the satellites revolving around Liam, an old high school friend who needed some financial help, so Liam made up a job for him.

“Is he home?”

Mike nodded and stepped aside.

I knocked and waited. It was nine am on Sunday morning, so Liam knew it was me. He was probably in there polishing his knives. Coming up with some insults to make me feel even worse about myself. But I’d signed up for this, so I deserved what I got.

I pulled off the head of the cat costume, holding it under my arm like a helmet. My hair was in sweaty clumps around my face and I tried to push them back as I waited for the door to open. My mascara had to be dripping down my cheeks. That’s what you get for wearing makeup under a cat costume.

I wasn’t sure if I was better with the head on or without.

The door opened and I bared my teeth, expecting him and his insults. Instead a perky blonde wearing a white tank top and a pair of over-sized sweatpants greeted me.

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